Los Castores and the Challenge of Forest Governance in Colombia

In this article, environmental journalist Jordi Albacete, reports how a local group in Colombia swapped logging for reforestation.

Jordi Albacete [printfriendly]

In 2013, in Huila, southwestern Colombia, Tiberio Bocanegra voluntarily gave his chainsaw to the authorities. This was his way of abandoning 22 years of illegal logging. He was not the only one, he was accompanied by 34 of his companions. The authorities promised them alternative jobs to deforestation. In addition, former loggers feared being intercepted by the police or the security forces of the Autonomous Corporation of the Alto Magdalena (CAM). After delivering his chainsaw, Bocanegra and his companions created an ecologist association: Los Castores [The Beavers]. The name was decided upon after Bocanegra saw a documentary about the devastation of these rodents on the forests. Five years later and after qualifying for public programmes for sustainable development, Los Castores demand more investment for subsistence agriculture and beekeeping.

In addition to the European Union, which imports Colombian wood, the government carries out the programme Community Forestry with which civil society presents local reforestation projects. In 2017, Los Castores proposed planting 80 hectares south of Huila with oaks, cedars, laurels and yellow wax palms. The proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Environment and the European Union, but still lacks the funds to develop.

With this type of proposal, Los Castores aim to redeem the 9,000 hectares of forest that devastated a biological corridor of intertropical zone between the Andes and the Amazon. This corridor includes the Natural Cave of the National Park Guácharos,the first protected area in Colombia since 1960.

The example of Los Castores is shown as a case of success of Colombian forest governance. In their first three years they stopped cutting 10 thousand trees. However, Bocanegra still faces challenges in his new way of subsistence; last year he ran out of honey because pesticides for coffee pests ‘frightened’ the bees from his farm. Nevertheless, he hopes to continue cultivating the land and to tell his grandchildren that making peace with nature is worthwhile.

Autor: Jordi Albacete

I am an environmental journalist. My passion for the protection of human and environmental rights has been inspired by research led journalism. My ambition is to communicate and inspire people to make positive changes in the environment. Twitter @albacetejordi or Linkedin.